Tag Archive for: Support

Toro to Support The R&A Women

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Toro to Support The R&A Women: The Toro Company announces its support of The R&A Women in Golf Charter by becoming a signatory of the industry-wide initiative. According to The R&A, the Women in Golf Charter aims to create a more inclusive golf culture by enabling more women and girls to realise their potential at all levels of the sport.

To achieve this, the Charter requires the support and participation of other national golf federations, businesses and organisations, like Toro — who is a trusted leader in golf grounds maintenance equipment and irrigation solutions with a global presence in more than 125 countries.

Toro to Support The R&A Women

Toro to Support The R&A Women

As a proud supporter of the Women in Golf Charter and also a founding partner of The R&A’s new community golf facility at Lethamhill in Glasgow, Scotland, Toro will be providing annual apprenticeships to women and minorities to encourage further career development and diversity in the golf industry.

“We have built a legacy of giving back by actively leveraging our expertise, resources and business partnerships to increase interest and engagement in the golf industry, specifically among women and girls,” stated Judson McNeil, President, The Toro Company Foundation. “Furthering our efforts through official support of The R&A Women in Golf Charter reinforces the ongoing commitment to bringing more diversity to the game of golf.”

Toro’s commitment to the Women in Golf Charter isn’t its only inclusion initiative. Toro has served as preferred supplier and partner to First Tee since 1998. During the 24-year partnership, Toro has supported girls’ access to careers in the golf industry, STEM educational programs and Grow the Game Grants focused on expanding diversity in the game of golf by the inclusion of more girls. And as the official partner of the ANNIKA Foundation’s “Share My Passion” golf clinic, Toro is helping to introduce young girls to the game of golf and support the Foundation’s goal of developing women’s golf around the world.

Additionally, the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award — hosted in partnership with Reesink Turfcare, sole Toro distributor in the UK for golf and sports fields equipment, and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) — celebrates the next generation of talented and dedicated greenskeepers. In 2021, Toro was excited to recognise Rhian Barton of The Wisley Golf Club. She was the first woman to win the prestigious award.

Beyond external initiatives, Toro has also established the Women’s Initiative Network to create, promote and support a culture of equality and inclusiveness for women across all business functions within the company.

For more information on Toro equipment and irrigation products for the golf industry worldwide, please visit toro.com/golf.

About The Toro Company

With roots dating back to 1914, Toro is a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment, including turf and landscape maintenance, snow management, rental and construction equipment, and irrigation solutions. Through a strong network of distributors, dealers, retailers and rental stores in more than 125 countries, Toro helps customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, construction sites and agricultural operations. More at: www.toro.com.

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Kress dealers support in Ireland

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Kress dealers support in Ireland: Positec UK & Ireland has taken the decision to streamline the route to market for its desirable range of Kress products, by working directly with its dealer network across the island of Ireland.

Newly appointed Kress Brand and Business Manager, Gary Tully says; “We have an excellent, established dealer network across Ireland and this new and more efficient structure will help us all to fully maximise the distribution of the exciting range of Kress mowers and power tools”.

Kress dealers support in Ireland

Kress dealers support in Ireland

Tully adds, “Demand for Kress products has outstripped supply over the last 2 years and we are keen to ensure that stock availability in Ireland meets demand in the future. During April we will make contact with each dealer to communicate our plans in detail”.

Kress’s advanced battery technology provides the most powerful and durable range of outdoor green power tools available on the market, extending from the Mission range of robotic mowers, to 20V and 60V grass and hedge trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and more.

Kress batteries are high quality lithium-ion, designed for demanding jobs and with a range of functions that offer seamless, high-power operation for as long as it is needed.

The Kress 60V range is therefore also particularly ideal for Landscapers, Commercial contractors, Sports Clubs and Landowners looking to reduce emissions, fuel and the operating costs to manage sports pitches, lawns and large grounds.

With annual growth that has reached tenfold, robotic mowers are becoming ever more popular with businesses and homeowners. However, their basic design had not changed significantly since they were invented in 1995, until now. Kress believes robotic mowers should do more than relieve users of the burden of pushing a mower each week and the Kress robot mower range has been designed from the ground up, featuring a raft of innovative technologies, that will set the industry standards for the coming years. This exciting new Kress Mission range of lawn management products, is packed with innovative technology to take robotic mowing to the next level.

As well as saving both time and cost, Kress Mission robotic mowers are also enabled to take autonomous decisions to protect and enhance the health of turf through innovative technology:

  • Intelligent Navigation Technology Inbound Variable Angle. Kress Mission’s INTIVA enabled mowers optimize their mowing, getting the job done faster and more efficiently, with less wear. Conversely, other robotic mowers stop, reverse, stop, and eventually turn, without being aware of which direction is best. Not only does this waste time, it wears the lawn along the borders and especially the corners.
  • Kress’ ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance System, is years ahead of the competition. Not only does the OAS avoid collisions, it tells the mower how to best navigate complex paths, such as through a group of trees in the lawn.
  • Climate intelligence. Temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation all affect grass growth. Connected to a network of local weather stations, Mission robots autonomously customize their work schedule accordingly.
  • Climate friendly. Kress REGEN (regenerative brake system) technology recharges the battery when the mower is running downhill, increasing the runtime and reducing charging time and costs.
  • Blade design. Designing a robotic lawn mower around the grass does not mean neglecting users’ needs. The biggest complaint robotic lawnmower owners have is still manually trimming borders. The Kress Mission blade design is offset to mow the perimeter of the lawn as closely as possible.
  • The charging station has also been re-thought from scratch. Unlike conventional charging stations which sit on large plastic pads, both unpleasant to the eye and killing the grass underneath, the pad of Mission’s base is the grass.

Not to mention an App to control the mower remotely, multi-Zone programming, a rain sensor and grass-friendly charging, the Mission family ranges from the mini Nano to the Kress Mega Mower, offering powerful mowing capacity from 1 square metre up to an incredible 6,500 square metres.

Tony Macer National Sales Manager for Kress says: “In order to provide a better and more efficient service to both dealers and consumers, we have streamlined the supply chain to improve dealer support and get closer to our customers. With exciting new Kress products streaming onto the market, we want our valued dealers across the island of Ireland to enjoy the same benefits and margins as the rest of the UK & Europe”.

Tony adds: “With industry leading mowing power, all of our lawnmowers perform exceptionally in Irish grass conditions, wet or dry. The power tools in the 60v range are comparable to petrol. Kress and its products offer a real opportunity for dealers in Ireland to futureproof their business and evolve into the sustainable robotic and battery sectors, supported by a new, efficient and profitable structure”.

Established over 50 years ago, Positec owned brand, Kress, is World number 2 in robotic mower sales, with a culture of innovation, high quality engineering and patented technology, all at a very competitive price point, supported by a 3 year warranty, excellent aftersales service and dealer support. Accentuated through the latest Kress range of zero emission, high power battery products, Kress is proud to hold the WWF platinum award for sustainability.

Please contact Gary Tully today to see how you can evolve and grow with Kress.

Contact details:

Gary Tully, Kress Brand & Business Manager – ROI and NI

Positec UK & Ireland Ltd

Mobile: +44 (0) 7432 202 872

Email:    gary.tully@positecgroup.com

For all other UK enquiries or to become a Kress Dealer, please contact: Tony.Macer@positecgroup.com

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BIGGA CEO appeals for greater support

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BIGGA CEO appeals for greater support: As the UK golfing industry prepares itself for another bumper summer, the chief executive of the UK’s greenkeepers’ association has issued a rallying cry for the game to reinvest in golf club staff who make the game possible.

Speaking following the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said that with golf participation and membership booming, the time has come for the leading bodies in the game to make a priority of the workforce in golf clubs that facilitate our great sport.

BIGGA CEO appeals for greater support

BIGGA CEO appeals for greater support

BTME is the annual education conference and exhibition for golf greenkeepers and is held in Harrogate each year. With hundreds of hours of educational opportunities for greenkeepers and groundspeople, it is considered among the most influential events in the golfing calendar, particularly at a grassroots level.

BTME was unable to take place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but saw a successful return this year, albeit delayed due to concerns regarding the Omicron variant last winter. BTME 2022 saw 2,577 unique visitors attend the trade show, which represents a drop of around 40% on 2020. Over 70% of the visitors to the show were in senior ‘decision making’ roles, such as course managers and head greenkeepers.

Although numbers were down, the event was enjoyed by those in attendance with many exhibitors reporting valuable business done as the Harrogate Convention Centre’s exhibition halls buzzed with the greenkeeping industry reconvening properly for the first time in over two years. A common topic of discussion in the halls, conferences and social interactions was the challenges currently facing the industry.

Jim said: “When the pandemic hit, the industry came together to form a ‘wartime cabinet’ that supported the game through extremis. With fewer high-profile crises facing the sport, the emergency footing has abated. However, there remain a number of serious challenges, such as the supply chain issues for machinery and equipment and the cost and availability of water, fuel and raw materials such as fertilisers and sands. The labour crisis is another major issue that we simply must address to keep the sport healthy.

“For many years the main focus of the game has been growing the number of people playing golf. The pandemic effectively gave us 2 million extra golfers in the UK and that has brought significant additional revenue into the game. It’s now time for clubs to focus on the importance of their workforce, without whom the sport would wither on the vine.

“The success of this year’s Continue to Learn education programme at BTME has proved once again that BIGGA members continue to rise to the challenge that managing a golf course in the 21st Century brings. Today’s greenkeepers are better educated than ever before, overcoming the challenges they face each day to present stunning golf courses for their members to enjoy. Greenkeepers have held up their end of the bargain and now it is time for the golf industry to do the same.”

Among key areas of concern for Jim and the BIGGA team are the conditions that greenkeepers are expected to work in. While some forward-thinking clubs now provided modern, clean and comfortable facilities for their greenkeeping teams, many still force their team to use outdated facilities that are no longer fit for purpose.

Other significant areas of concern are salaries, particularly for entry level staff and those making their way through the ranks. Additionally, the incredibly-high expectations placed upon greenkeepers to present golf courses despite the often limited resources made available to them, which can cause significant stress and mental health problems.

BIGGA is an active participant in the Committee for Golf Club Salaries (CGCS), which this year issued a recommendation to increase salaries for golf club staff by 5 per cent to help with the rising cost of living, as well as an increased awareness of the vital role staff play in the success of a facility. However, the guidelines are recommendations that not all clubs adhere to.

Jim added: “I was at a gathering of golf club leaders last autumn and asked the attendees to put their hands up if they would be prepared to work in the facilities they provide for their greenkeepers. Only a minority raised their hands and that shows an awareness of how we aren’t looking after the staff who play such a critical role in the success of golf businesses and the wider sport. It is also, of course, important to point out the challenges that club managers and other staff are facing in a rapidly changing and demanding industry. Golf is a sport that is delivered by people at facility level; every club is autonomous and this leads to huge variations in pay, conditions and welfare for the staff members in those facilities.

“Greenkeeping is a wonderful profession with many physical and mental health benefits and a wide range of career opportunities. It’s time for golf clubs to put their staff first, invest in their wellbeing and for a framework to be put in place that ensures every facility in the country treats their staff in a respectful and appropriate manner.”

For more information about the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association, visit www.bigga.org

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UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A

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UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A: The 150th Open at St Andrews is set to be a historic event with record crowds witnessing the world’s greatest players contest the Claret Jug and a team of almost 50 greenkeepers from golf clubs all over the United Kingdom and further afield will be supporting the home greenkeeping team as they prepare the Old Course’s famous fairways.

Each year The R&A requests the assistance of British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) members in the staging of the event. Every full BIGGA member who has been with the association for at least two years is eligible to apply for a place on the Volunteer Open Support Team and those who are selected are given incredible access to golf’s greatest championship, supporting every match with bunker raking duties.

UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A

UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A

The history of the Volunteer Open Support Team began at St Andrews in 1984 following years of complaints from golfers and the governing body that bunker raking at The Open was inconsistent. Walter Woods BEM, links superintendent at St Andrews at the time, proposed that members of the Scottish & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (SIGGA), which existed prior to the formation of BIGGA in 1987, could be enlisted on a volunteer basis. Having a deputised band of trained greenkeepers on site would also provide the home greenkeeping team with additional support, should the need arise. The Volunteer Open Support Team was formed and has attended every Open since, providing hundreds of BIGGA members with incredible memories and inspiring them to achieve greater things both in their careers and at their home facilities.

Joining the BIGGA volunteers will be Gordon Moir, BIGGA President 2022, himself a former links superintendent at St Andrews and an industry veteran who supervised the hosting of five Opens. Gordon will begin his presidency at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) 2022, taking place from 22 to 24 March at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “The 150th Open will be a spectacular celebration of the sport of golf and in some ways the Volunteer Open Support Team recognises the vital role greenkeepers have played over the centuries in the development and prospering of this wonderful game, so we are thankful to The R&A for providing this opportunity for BIGGA members each year. The Open is the world’s greatest golf tournament and this is set to be the biggest and best instalment ever, so everyone at BIGGA – including those members who form the home St Andrews greenkeeping team – is looking forward to playing our part in the hosting of the championship.”

This year’s BIGGA Volunteer Open Support Team features a record number of first-time team members and each year is provided with accommodation, subsistence and uniform for the event. Restrictions may be in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and any necessary adjustments to working practices will be made clear to BIGGA members ahead of the championship.

The 150th Open takes place from 10 to 17 July 2022. Applications for the BIGGA Volunteer Open Support Team for The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool will open later this year.

Here are the BIGGA members who will be assisting the home greenkeepers for the duration of The 150th Open:

Robert Acheson, Thonock Park; Daniel Ashelby, Reddish Vale; George Barr, Worthing; Robert Bemment, Elsham; Simon Bone, Royal Wimbledon; James Bonfield, The Hertfordshire; Adam Brackley, Heworth; Tim Brown, Hockley; Michael Budd, Richmond Park; Steven Carmichael, Dumfries & Galloway; Stuart Christon, Middlesbrough (Brass Castle); Paul Clarkson, Sherborne; Mark Cleverley, Ludlow; David Davies, St Annes Old Links; Jack Fairbairn, Shipton; David Forbes, Faughan Valley; Dean Franks, West Sussex; Michael Gibbons, Dunham Forest; James Gilchrist, Harborne; Andrew Harding, Boyce Hill; Darren Hexley, Muir of Ord; Stevie-Jon Hood, Ljunghusens, Sweden; Jamie Hughes, Lyme Regis; Paul Law, South Staffordshire; Craig Littlejohn, Douglas Park; David McCormick, Royal Porthcawl; Matthew Milligan, Rudding Park; Tiffany Mills, Ryston Park; David McCormick, Royal Porthcawl; William Morton, Llanishen; Ronnie Myles, Buchanan Castle; Ian Nichols, Orsett; George Nock, Enville; Joshua Raper, Hosel EV, Germany; Scott Rigby, Gathurst; Scott Robertson, Strathmore; Harry Roe, Alwoodley; Andrew Sellars, The Grove; Chris Sheehan, Chorlton-cum-Hardy; Niels Sorensen, Randers, Denmark; Craig Surgeon, Kirkcaldy; Rick Tegtmeier CGCS MG, Des Moines, USA; Mark Thompson, Galgorm Castle; Ross Traill, Kilmarnock (Barassie); Sean Tully, Meadow Club, USA; Jeremy Ward, Bradford Moor; George Watton, Ludlow; Aidan Wright, Camberley Heath.

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Support for “Ultimate Golf Internship”

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Support for “Ultimate Golf Internship”: Origin Amenity Solutions with their group member Rigby Taylor have agreed to support the Machrie Golf Internship programme launched by the club this month.

This exciting initiative is a, once-in-a-lifetime, paid internship programme that will provides hands-on insight into the golf and leisure industry and a unique learning experience for young talent considering this career path.

Support for "Ultimate Golf Internship”

Support for “Ultimate Golf Internship”

Working across various departments the successful interns will cover the Golf and Hotel Operations and Championship Links Maintenance. But it is not all work. The internship programme students will spend days playing casual and competitive golf on the renowned golf course ranked in the Top 100 courses by Golf World Magazine.

Applicants are encouraged to sign up via: www.campbellgrayhotels.com/machrie-islay-scotland/offers/the-ultimate-golf-internship.

The deadline for submissions is 12pm on 9 January 2022, with internships running from April 2022 to October 2022.

As part of their support for this Internship programme, Rigby Taylor will make available through theory and practice many of the group resources to help ensure the success of this exciting Internship programme. Internees will be invited to visit the OAS Turf Science and Technology Centre in Essex, England where they will view and be informed upon the trials programmes being conducted and given insights into the technologies that may be available for golf course maintenance in the future.

Commenting on behalf of Machrie Golf Club Dean Muir, Golf Manager stated:

“We are delighted to have Origin Amenity Solutions and Rigby Taylor’s support for The Machrie’s Golf Internship Programme. Their involvement will be invaluable to our interns learning experience and we look forward to working with their expert team.”

Responding, Richard Fry Marketing Director for OAS stated, “This is a truly exciting and innovative industry initiative and a perfect ‘fit’ for the company in that it encompasses many of its own values and ethics. The future of the industry relies on new entrants; ones that can combine practical skills with advancing technology and the understanding of the need for a dual track, mutually inclusive approach to individual career and personal development.

OAS is a group of businesses that comprises of some highly regarded commercial entities including, Rigby Taylor, Headland Amenity, Symbio and TurfKeeper. These businesses are supported by a Turf Science and Technology Centre that has the overriding aim of achieving through research, development, education and training, advances for the benefit of the turf care industry.

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Toro & Reesink provide support for Royal St George’s

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Toro & Reesink provide support for Royal St George’s: Royal St George’s has undergone months of preparations to welcome players, spectators and members of the media for The 149th Open and ably assisting the talented greenkeeping team create optimal course conditions are Toro machinery and irrigation.

Back on the course in Kent from 11–18 July 2021 for the 15th time, the rescheduled Championship was originally planned for July 2020 and cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as Reesink Turfcare managing director David Cole says, ‘good things come to those who wait’.

Toro & Reesink provide support for Royal St George’s

Toro & Reesink provide support for Royal St George’s

“They say that good things come to those who wait and that certainly characterises the journey Paul and his team have been on through the preparation for The 149th Open Championship that was postponed,” says David. “The highs and lows must have been challenging during their protracted journey to showcase the golf course at last. The results of their presentation is testament to their focus and resilience, and we and Toro are pleased to have supported Paul and his team along the way with both their irrigation systems and machinery.”

The 18-hole course is using Toro Reelmaster fairway mowers, Groundsmaster rough mowers, Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid riding greensmowers and Greensmaster Flex walk-behind greensmowers to create a first-class finish for the event which is expected to draw crowds of up to 32,000 a day. Reesink will also be loaning the club additional machines to keep up with maintenance demands.

The world-famous golf course began its long relationship with Toro with a fleet deal in 2013, and that relationship has continued with the installation of new irrigation in 2018 and the lease of additional equipment in 2019.

After installing the Toro Lynx Central Control System and over a thousand sprinklers across the greens, tees and fairways in 2018, course manager Paul Larsen and his team have been able to target irrigation to the areas that needed it most — conserving water through a series of very dry and hot summers. According to Larsen, the system has been instrumental in helping to maintain the highest standards leading up to The Open.

Peter Moeller, vice president at The Toro Company, says: “Royal St George’s is considered one of the world’s best golf courses, and we are thrilled that they have chosen Toro equipment to create optimal playing conditions on their course. We’re proud to be a part of it by supporting the greenkeepers at Royal St George’s throughout the Championship as well as in the future.”

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Polaris support Sporting & Sportrap Championships

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Polaris support Sporting & Sportrap Championships: Polaris Off Road Vehicles continues its partnership with the prestigious UK shooting ground, E.J. Churchills, by supporting the 2021 CPSA World English Sporting and Sportrap Championships that took place last week.

Running from Monday 5th July to Sunday 11th July, this was the sixth time that E.J. Churchill had hosted the World Championships, which attracts competitors from all over the world. Polaris UK supported E.J. Churchill by supplying a number of vehicles to help with event logistics, including the Ranger XP 1000 Crew, General 4-seater model, Ranger 1000, Ranger Diesel and the electric Ranger EV, in addition to the existing fleet in operation across the grounds.

Polaris support Sporting & Sportrap Championships

Polaris support Sporting & Sportrap Championships

Known as the most prestigious clay pigeon shooting ground in England, and the largest, spanning over 35-acres, the award-winning E.J. Churchills Shooting Ground is built upon a century of heritage and excellence. The grounds are located just outside of London on the wider West Wycombe Estate; a 5,000-acre estate that is home to the Dashwood family and has been since 1698. With the grand English estate of West Wycombe as a backdrop for the event, competitors enjoyed the traditional British experience surrounded by the beautiful English countryside.

Polaris off-road vehicles have been in operation across the estate for over ten years, with a number of Polaris Ranger models being used for ground management, maintenance and VIP guest logistics. For E.J. Churchill, it comes down to reliability, and for the World Championships specifically, E.J. Churchill needed to ensure their vehicles did not let them down across such an important event.

Rob Fenwick, Managing Director of E.J. Churchill Shooting Ground, said: “The World Championships are always a huge deal for us at E.J. Churchills, and it’s really important that we have complete confidence in our kit to ensure everything runs smoothly – it’s vital to a successful event. In our opinion, the Polaris vehicles do just about every job with complete ease; it’s a seriously hard-working tool that’s never let us down since we started using them ten years ago.”

The 2021 CPSA World English Sporting and Sportrap Championships alternate between the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) in England and the National Sporting Clays Association (NCSA) in the USA each year. The World English Sporting Championships consisted of 200 targets, shot over two days. There was a 25-target Super Final, where the top six shooters competed for the title. The World Sportrap Championships is a 100-target competition shot across the course of the week. In addition to the two world championships, a preliminary English Sporting course and a FITASC Sporting course also took place during the event.

Watch the ninth episode of RANGER Stories to see how E.J. Churchills Shooting Ground uses their Polaris Ranger vehicles on the Polaris Off-Road International YouTube channel here.

For more information on E.J. Churchills and the World Championships, please visit https://www.ejchurchill.com/

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Championship treble for dealer support

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Championship treble for dealer support: Scottish John Deere dealers Thomas Sherriff & Co and Double A will complete a unique treble this summer as they provide vital tournament support for the abrdn Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in July, the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links and the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie Golf Links, both in August.

This is The Renaissance Club’s third consecutive Scottish Open, with the course running an extensive John Deere equipment fleet including the new satellite guided GPS PrecisionSprayer and 2550E PrecisionCut hybrid electric greens mowers.

Championship treble for dealer support

Championship treble for dealer support

Sherriff Haddington turf sales manager Dougie Archibald arranged for the supply of additional 8000AE PrecisionCut hybrid electric fairway mowers, Gator utility vehicles and other support equipment to deputy head superintendent Jamie Aitken, who headed up the course maintenance team for the abrdn Scottish Open.

The dealership’s senior technician John Blair also spent two days before the tournament setting up the mower fleet to ensure all the machines achieved a consistently high quality finish.

Head superintendent Paul Seago says: “We are indebted to John Deere, local dealer Thomas Sherriff & Co and their respective staff for once again providing the tournament support fleet for the 2021 abrdn Scottish Open, without which we could not produce our course to the exacting standards required for hosting such a prestigious event.

“As an end user, particularly during these globally challenging times, it is reassuring to know that customer support remains a high priority at John Deere. As The Renaissance Club motto says, ‘Rare Indeed’.”

Dumbarnie Links is a new venue for the Women’s Scottish Open, and this will be the first major golf tournament hosted by Scotland’s newest golf course, which only opened for play officially at the end of May last year. The course also operates a number of E-Cut hybrid electric mowers as part of its equally extensive John Deere fleet, supplied by Double A from its main Cupar outlet in Fife.

The dealership was involved with the Dumbarnie Links project from the very beginning, and since the initial supply of John Deere equipment on loan Double A group sales manager Ross Kelly and golf key accounts manager John Bateson have been phasing in a full range of course maintenance equipment over the past three years.

“It’s simply not possible to achieve what we want to achieve without the extra machines and technical support we get from Double A and John Deere,” says Dumbarnie Links course manager Grahame Taylor. This will include additional hybrid greens, fairways and surrounds mowers plus HPX Gator utility vehicles, with John Bateson also cutting aprons throughout the tournament using a new 2750E PrecisionCut machine.

“Our team of 20 greenkeepers expands to 30 for the Open, and we need to carry out all the necessary tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible. The expanded fleet enables us to increase the mowing frequency, particularly during the tournament when there’s only a short time-frame to get the work done before the start of play. We’ll therefore have lights fitted to all the mowers, as we’ll be starting in the dark at 4.15am each day.”

Carnoustie Golf Links, known as ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’ and a flagship for innovation and sustainable golf course management, entered into a new partnership agreement with John Deere and Rain Bird in 2020. It is also taking advantage of the latest developments in precision technology, with a comprehensive equipment fleet that includes three of the first new GPS PrecisionSprayers to be sold in Europe.

The AIG Women’s Open returns after 10 years to Carnoustie for the 45th playing of the championship in 2021, with the famous Angus course becoming the fifth links venue in history to host the event multiple times.

Carnoustie Golf Links courses manager Kevin Stott says: “Reliable manufacturer and dealer support such as that provided by John Deere and Double A is very important. Hosting a major tournament such as the AIG Women’s Open requires the extra kit and manpower to help our team put that extra polish on the fairways and greens, and make maximum use of the available daylight hours.

“It comes down to the frequency and quality of cut that we need to apply across all three courses. Our primary focus is on giving golfers the very best conditions possible for them to play their best golf.

“This year, as we welcome some of the very best golfers in the world for the AIG Women’s Open, we are ensuring that Carnoustie will provide the great test that is expected from this iconic golf course and that we produce world class surfaces that will challenge every part of their game, resulting in the best all round golfer winning.”

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BIGGA announces volunteer support team

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BIGGA announces volunteer support team: The return of The Open Championship this July will see BIGGA members from all over the United Kingdom leap into action once again as the BIGGA Volunteer Support Team takes responsibility for ensuring the Royal St George’s bunkers are in top condition for the world’s best golfers.

Following the rescheduling of the 149th Open Championship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BIGGA is delighted that the R&A has requested the assistance of its members in the staging of the event. Members who were selected for the postponed championship in 2020 have been invited to participate this year and are now looking forward to another incredible week of championship golf.

BIGGA announces volunteer support team

BIGGA announces volunteer support team

This will be the fourth time a volunteer team of BIGGA members has assisted at an Open Championship at Royal St George’s, having also taken part in 1993, 2003 and 2011. The bunkers at Royal St George’s Golf Club are among the most famous in golf, with the giant ‘Himalaya’ on the 4th hole providing an intimidating test, not just for the golfers who land in the hazard, but also the members of the support team who will recreate its condition afterwards.

Every full BIGGA member is eligible to apply for a place on the support team and those who are selected are given unprecedented access to golf’s greatest championship, supporting every match with bunker raking duties.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “A place on the Open Support Team is one of the most exciting opportunities we offer our members and I’m delighted that after such a dark year we were able to extend the invite to those members who missed out in 2020 due to the postponement of the championship. The Open remains for me the world’s greatest golf tournament, we’re thrilled to be able to support the R&A in its staging and everyone at BIGGA is looking forward to giving our all and playing our part in ensuring the 149th Open is Royal St George’s best yet.”

The BIGGA Volunteer Open Support Team are provided with accommodation, subsistence and uniform for the event. Members of the support team may also be called upon to assist Course Manager Paul Larsen and his team with early morning preparation work and other duties during the week. Restrictions are expected to be in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and any necessary adjustments to working practices will be made clear to BIGGA members ahead of the championship.

The 149th Open tales place from 15 to 18 July 2021. Applications for the BIGGA Volunteer Support Team for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews will open later this year.

Here are the BIGGA members who will be assisting the home greenkeepers for the duration of the event:

Robert Acheson, Thonock Park; David Ball, Thetford; James Bonfield, The Hertfordshire; Tom Bromfield, Trentham; Mark Cleverley, Kings Norton; Jason Connaughton, Yeovil; Daryn Curtis, Royal Mid-Surrey; Joe Curtis, Gloucester; James Dawson, Alwoodley; Julian Drake, Neath; Nicholas Edwards, The Wisley; Michael Elderfield, Sandy Lodge; Sam Evans, North Hants; Edoardo Fauro, Walton Heath; Ryan Fiander, Lees Hall; Craig Gibson, Essendon; James Hampson, Llanymynech; Craig Hempseed, Mortonhall; Kevin Hensman, Rowlands Castle; Alastair Hollingsbee, Etchinghill; James Hook, The Bristol; Dale Housden, Drayton Park; Adam King, Radley; Antony Kirwan, Romford; Chris Low, Olton; Matthew Mackenzie, Ellesborough; Jorge Manso Grandio, Royal Wimbledon; Steven Mapes, Coventry; Michael Mead, Littlehampton; Peter Meek, Bath; William Merritt, Blundells Hill; Ashley Millar, Churston; Harry Misselbrook, Harewood Downs; Ryan Neale, Blackwell; Joshua Raper, Golf Club Hösel Ev; Laura Sayer-Hall, Ardfin; Tom Silcock, Macclesfield; Nick Street, Crews Hill; Will Simmonds, Surbiton; Niels Sorensen, Randers Golf Klub; Ollie Tanton, Royal North Devon; Amy Thomas, Barton-on-Sea; Scott Thomson, Wetherby; Gary Tonge, Castle Stuart; Ken Ward, Harrogate; Jeremy Ward, Rotherham; Sam Wood, Lingdale.

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Comic Relief: demonstration of support

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Comic Relief: demonstration of support: Fleet Line Markers Ltd is well known across the industry as the market leader in the manufacture of sports line marking paint and machines.

However, over the past 12 months Fleet have launched several projects using their expertise in the field to show a spectacular display of support for the NHS, Key Workers, VE Day and last November the giant Poppy to mark Remembrance Day. Staff voluntarily gave their time to show their support for the community and wider causes.

Comic Relief: demonstration of support

Comic Relief: demonstration of support

This month, a new challenge was set. Red Nose Day, in support of Comic Relief benefits so many and Fleet decided to go BIG! The project would take up the whole of the 1st XV Pitch at Malvern Rugby Club. Businesses sponsored a red nose and in return they had their company name displayed underneath a large red painted nose (scale shown below). If you look closely, you can see the goal posts at each end of the pitch. The results and feedback have been remarkable, you really do have to see it to believe it.

Fleet have been overwhelmed by the support for last year’s projects, which received a large amount of Media coverage with the VE Day Rainbow reaching National News and internationally as far as New Zealand and Japan. The Comic Relief challenge was no different, the response has been huge. A massive thank you should go out to all those involved.

Watch this space the challenges only get bigger! Here at Fleet we are all looking forward to what this summer will bring, with competitive sports now returning at all levels it looks to be a busy time. Headlining as official sponsor at The Sports & Grounds Expo (SAGE) is a key event in our calendar, the all new totally outdoor trade show for the grounds maintenance industry. With many key exhibitors signed already, SAGE looks to fall at an ideal time this summer.

There might be a few projects of our own to be released over the three-day event at The Three Counties Showground! Don’t miss it 27 – 29 July 2021, we’ll see you there! To find out more visit; www.sportsandgrounds.co.uk.

To find out more about what we can do for you at Fleet call 01684 573535 today or go online to find out more; www.fleetlinemarkers.co.uk

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